House Votes to End War Powers Resolution Against Iran, Defying Trump
Lawmakers approved a measure to limit President Trump's military action, with seven Republicans joining Democrats in a rebuke of the protracted conflict.
The House of Representatives has voted to end military action against Iran, approving a war powers resolution that seeks to halt President Donald Trump's ability to continue military operations without congressional approval. The measure passed Tuesday night with a vote of 220-204, reflecting a growing concern among lawmakers over the prolonged conflict.
This vote marks the latest attempt by Congress to assert its constitutional authority over the use of military force. The resolution directs the president to remove U.S. armed forces from further hostilities against Iran, unless authorized by Congress or in defense against an imminent attack. However, similar resolutions have not advanced to the president's desk, and Trump has indicated he would likely veto such a measure.
"Remember when Donald Trump said that this war would last just a few weeks?" said Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a Marine veteran who pushed for the resolution. He urged Congress to "actually ask tough questions, as the Constitution directs us to do, rather than be subservient to another warmongering administration."
Several Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the resolution, an increase from previous votes. Seven Republicans ultimately voted in favor, compared to four in earlier efforts this summer. Among them were GOP lawmakers from battleground states, including Reps. Zachary Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks from Iowa, and Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, alongside returning supporters like Reps. Tom Barrett, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Thomas Massie.
Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, questioned which resources Democrats would propose removing from the region, emphasizing Iran's continued threat. Mast stated that Trump is against "forever wars" and is working to end the decades-long hostilities with Iran.
Prior to the vote, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., read articles of impeachment against War Secretary Pete Hegseth on the House floor, accusing him of unlawfully continuing military action against Iran without congressional authorization. Massie, a vocal critic of the Iran war and Trump's use of military force, introduced the measure as a privileged resolution, requiring the House to consider it within two legislative days.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 provides Congress a mechanism to limit a president's use of military force without explicit authorization. The recent vote is likely the last House action on the Iran war before the midterm elections, where the conflict has become a significant campaign issue.
Reports suggest the war, initiated on February 28, has involved intermittent missile strikes for nearly seven months. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that as of August 1, the war had cost over $380 billion and projected ongoing monthly costs of $2 billion to $3 billion, depending on the intensity of fighting. The office also projected that inflation would be 0.5 percentage points higher heading into 2027 due to the war.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., has argued that his support for such measures stems from a commitment to congressional authority rather than opposition to U.S. military action against Iran. He cited the War Powers Act's requirement for congressional review of conflicts exceeding 60 days, emphasizing the need to follow the law. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., echoed this sentiment, stating that Congress holds the exclusive constitutional authority to declare war and authorize the use of force, and that the president's temporary authority under the Act has expired.
House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the need to lower gas prices, which have been impacted by the conflict's disruption of global oil supplies. He stated that Trump expects a shift in energy prices after the election, but expressed a desire for immediate relief.
Despite Trump's past promises to avoid foreign entanglements, his administration's actions in Iran have become a point of contention for his party. An AP-NORC poll in July indicated that most Americans believe the war in Iran has not been worth fighting.